(EAST PALESTINE, Ohio)— The following are updates from the State of Ohio regarding remediation work at the site of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

Visit to East Palestine High School - VIDEO AVAILABLE

Governor DeWine, First Lady DeWine, and Congressman Bill Johnson visited East Palestine High School today to meet with students who are currently enrolled in the school's government class. 

First Lady DeWine also spent time with students studying culinary fundamentals at East Palestine High School.

VIDEO: Governor and First Lady DeWine at East Palestine High School

Hellbenders in North Fork Little Beaver Creek

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, along with partners from Ohio EPA and The Ohio State University, made a positive discovery this week when they found two healthy hellbender salamanders in North Fork Little Beaver Creek.

Hellbenders, which are endangered aquatic amphibians, are considered an "indicator species" because their presence or absence in a body of water is an indicator of the health of the ecosystem. Hellbenders can only survive in cool, clean water.

The hellbender is Ohio’s largest amphibian, and some may live more than 60 years. One hellbender found this week was estimated to be 7 years old, and the other was a juvenile. Both were released back into North Fork Little Beaver Creek.

Soil Sampling Results - Information Release Process

The U.S. EPA and independent contractors continue to take soil samples at agricultural, commercial, recreational, and residential properties in both Ohio and Pennsylvania. To date, 92 samples have been collected. This soil sampling includes testing for semi-volatile organic compounds and dioxins. The U.S. EPA has advised the Ohio EPA that preliminary data will be shared with homeowners in the following manner:

If soil samples are non-detect for all chemicals, a phone call will be made to inform the property owner that no contaminants of concern were identified.

If soil samples show low-level detections below health screening levels, property owners will be advised via phone call about what the data represents and how it relates to background soil and risk.

If soil samples show contaminants at levels of concern, a phone call will immediately be placed to the property owner to advise them of the results and discuss next steps.

Although the U.S. EPA does not believe there is an increased risk due to particulate matter that entered the community from the fire, they are evaluating whether indicator chemicals are present in the environment where this matter was most likely to deposit. U.S. EPA does not expect that there is an increased risk of dioxin contamination due to the nature of chemical releases from the fire.

Hazardous Waste Removal

According to the Ohio EPA, approximately 6.85 million gallons of liquid wastewater have been hauled out of East Palestine in total. There is currently a pile of approximately 26,500 tons of excavated soil waiting for removal from East Palestine, versus 5,400 tons that have been removed. 

Raccoon/Muskrat Necropsy Results

The Ohio Department of Agriculture's Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory announced today that final lab results on five deceased wildlife from the East Palestine area show no evidence of chemical toxicity as a cause of death. The four raccoons and one muskrat were submitted for analysis by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. 

Private Well Testing

Water sample results from private water systems of East Palestine area homes continue to show no harmful levels of contaminants.

The Ohio Department of Health and the Columbiana County Health District received verified laboratory results from 10 additional samples from private water systems as of noon Wednesday. Seven of those wells showed no detectable contaminants. Three wells had trace detections of contamination at levels well below safe drinking-water standards. There is no evidence that any of those trace detections are linked to the train derailment.

In total, test results from 136 samples have been verified, and none have shown any harmful contaminant levels associated with the derailment.

The results can be found on the Columbiana County Health Department site at https://www.columbiana-health.org/resources/.

Residents near East Palestine who would like their private water system sampled should call 330-849-3919.

Health Assessment Clinic

The Ohio Department of Health’s Health Assessment Clinic in East Palestine, operating in partnership with the Columbiana County Health District, is operating on a walk-in basis. Residents should arrive at least an hour before closing to ensure there is enough time to be served.

Clinic hours for next week are:

Monday-Tuesday: Noon to 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Noon to 8 p.m.

Thursday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The clinic is located at the First Church of Christ, 20 West Martin St. For information, call the Columbiana County Health District at 330-424-0272.

Coping with Trauma

According to the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, traumatic events, such as the train derailment, can cause intense stress, anxiety, and worry, especially in the first several weeks following the event.

Local certified professionals are onsite at the East Palestine Mobile Health Clinic and are ready to assist anyone who has questions or concerns.  In addition, any resident can call the Ohio CareLine at 1-800-720-9616 at any time of day for free, confidential, emotional support from a trained professional.

For more information about local behavioral health resources and providers, contact the Columbiana County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board at https://www.ccmhrsb.org/.